ACLU renews lawsuit to stop voter removal; more

Sep 04, 2013

ACLU renews lawsuit to stop voter removal

DES MOINES (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa has filed new court documents seeking a judge’s order to keep Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz from using a federal immigration database to try to find voters registered in Iowa who may not be citizens.

Schultz received permission Aug. 14 from the government to access federal immigration records.

The ACLU is asking a judge to rule on its lawsuit filed last year or at least issue a temporary order to keep Schultz from using the data until the lawsuit can be decided.

The ACLU says Schultz doesn’t have the authority under Iowa law to remove voters by comparing state records with federal immigration data.

Schultz believes Iowa could have people registered to vote who are not citizens.

Des Moines police say they arrested the teen from Scavo Alternative High School on Friday after the .32 revolver was found in his backpack. The incident took place shortly after classes were dismissed for the day.

The Des Moines Register reports the student did not show the weapon at school or threaten anyone. A report says the boy told police that he found the gun and held onto it to “show it off.”

The teen will face expulsion by the school district.

Governor appoints interim chief of staff

DES MOINES (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has named his legal counsel to serve as interim chief of staff.

Branstad says Wednesday that Brenna Findley will be interim chief of staff until a permanent replacement is found for Jeff Boeyink. Boeyink announced his resignation last week. His last day in the Branstad administration will be Sept. 6.

Findley previously worked as an aide to U.S. Rep. Steve King. She was the Republican candidate for state Attorney General in 2010. She has served in the Branstad administration since January 2011.

Branstad is leaving on a trade mission to India and Japan on Friday. He will not name a permanent chief of staff before he returns to Iowa on Sept. 18.